Contents

Get in

Sky Harbor International Airport[1] is located on the southern edge of this portion of Phoenix, making it by the far the most convenient way into the area for travelers from out of town.

State Route 51 (also known as the Piestewa Parkway) is the major north/south freeway through the region, running north from Interstate 10 and continuing past Piestewa Peak and on into the more northern regions of the city. The road runs just east of 16th Street in this region.

State Route 202 (also known as the Red Mountain Freeway) is the the major east/west freeway in the region, running just south of McDowell Road. It begins at the same point as State Route 51 where Interstate 10 goes from east/west to north/south, a location referred to as the "mini-stack" (as opposed to Stack interchange where Interstate 10 and Interstate 17 intersect in West Phoenix).

Interstate 10 is the main east/west route into Phoenix, and runs past the airport. It serves effectively as the "extension" of both SR 51 and SR 202, continuing on south past the termination of SR 51 and continuing west past the termination of SR 202.

Get around

As with most parts of the Valley, having a car available is virtually a must for seeing the area. South of the mountains the roads are almost universally laid out in a grid format, with numbered streets running north/south and increasing in number as you move east towards the Scottsdale border.

See

Piestewa Peak, 2701 E. Squaw Peak Ln. or 2421 E.Northern Ave., ☎(602) 262-7901, [2]. 5am-10pm (Dreamy Draw Park) 11pm (Phoenix Mountains Park). The other well known mountain in the area (Camelback Mountain being the most well known), the peak was formerly known as "Squaw Peak" prior to being renamed in honor of Army Spc. Lori Ann Piestewa who was the first Native American woman killed in combat in the U.S. Military in 2003. Due to the recent name change visitors will find references to the peak under both names (for instance, the road leading to the park on the south side of the mountain still has the prior name). This mountain, whose summit rises to 2,608 feet, is much more accessible to visitors than is Camelback Mountain. Picnic areas exist both on the south side of the mountain (Phoenix Mountains Park entrace on Squaw Peak Lane) and the north side (Dreamy Draw Park, entrance via Northern Avenue).

Camelback Mountain, (East McDonald Drive at Tatum Boulevard), ☎(602) 256-3220, [3]. The most recognizable landmark of the area, Camelback Mountain rises to 2,704 feet at its summit. It sits between Phoenix to the south and Paradise Valley to the North. The lower areas of the mountain contain some of the most exclusive residences in the Valley, with the upper sections now part of a park. There are very challenging and difficult hiking trails to the summit that are not recommended for any but experienced hikers. As well, parking near the mountain is extremely limited. The mountain consists of red rock, and is in the general shape of a camel's silhouette. A rock formation on the mountain is known as Praying Monk. The park also contains Echo Canyon.

Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, [4]. 7am-8pm. 50 acres of exhibits showcasing desert plants, with an emphasis on plants native to the Southwestern United States. Located in Papago Park, near the Phoenix Zoo.

Arizona Biltmore Hotel, 24th St. and Camelback Rd, [5]. Visit this legendary Phoenix landmark built in 1921 and has hosted famous guests such as Fred Astaire, Marilyn Monroe, Bob Hope, and the President of the United States when he is in town.

Wrigley Mansion, 2501 East Telawa Trail, [6]. Take a tour of the amazing architecture and grounds of this historic mansion built by the famous chewing gum magnate.

Do

Winter vistors to the area will generally be looking for outdoor events. The area has a number of resorts with the relevant amenities, such as the Biltmore resort's golf course and the requisite pools and other activities on site. In the summer, due to the extreme heat, virtually everyone tries to avoid begin outside more than necessary.

Paint on Pottery, 3629 E. Indian School Road (36th Street & Indian School Road), [7]. Tue-Thur 10am-7pm, Fri 10am-10pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-6pm. A place where the kids (and adults for that matter) can paint their own glazed pottery creation.Studio fee $6 plus cost of pottery.

Buy

Biltmore Fashion Park, 24th St. and Camelback Rd., [8]. Includes many high-end tenants such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Ralph Lauren, Cartier, and Escada; and many highly-acclaimed eateries.

Chicago Hamburger Company, 3749 E. Indian School Road, [13]. M-Sat 10:30a-8pm. "Home of the Original Windy City Slider" is the restaurant's slogan, and the small burgers (along with larger fare) are found here. A Chicago themed sandwich shop offering hot dogs, sandwiches and even Frito Pie (according to the menu, a former manager from Texas added it to the menu and they've left it on). This place is more what you would expect of a traditional burger joint than Delux Burger, also listed in this guide. Delux is when you want something more formal, Chicago Hamburger Company is when you want to grab a traditional burger shop lunch.Budget priced..

Pita Jungle, 4340 E. Indian School Rd. (44th Street & Indian School Road), ☎(602) 955-7482, [14]. Daily 10:30am-10pm. Offers a selection not only of pitas, but also of other Mediterranean inspired meals in a sit down environment.Mid-Range Pricing..

Wildflower Bread Company, 4290 East Indian School Road (Arcadia Commons Center), ☎(602) 850-8585, [18]. M-F 6am-9pm, Sat 7am-9pm, Sun 7am-8pm. Arcadia location of restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, featuring a bakery. Lunch menu consists of sandwiches and soups, while pasta is added for dinner. Free wi-fi access and power outlets are available at the location.

Delux Burger, 3146 E. Camelback Road (In Safeway center on northwest corner of 32nd Street and Camelback Road), ☎(602) 522-2288, [19]. 11am-2am. An upscale burger location, also known for its mini-shopping cart baskets of fries and a wide selection of micro-brews on tap. Has an interesting variety of salads as well as the sandwich fare. A good place when you want to have informal food but not in a totally informal setting.Upper mid-range pricing..

L'Amore Ristorante, 3159 East Lincoln Drive (In the shopping complex on the southeast corner of 32nd Street & Lincoln Drive), ☎(602) 381-3159, [20]. M-F 11am-10pm, Sat 4pm-10pm. Local italian restuarant located on the border of Phoenix and Paradise Valley, features fresh seafood and home made pasta.

Drink

Postino Wine Cafe, 3939 E. Campbell Avenue (Campell is halfway between Indian School Road and Camelback Avenue, with the best access via 40th Street from either road), ☎(602) 852-3939, [22]. Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 12noon-10p. A wine cafe located in the former Arcadia post office. In addition to wines, the cafe features panninis and salads. The cafe also offers $5 glasses of wine each day until 4pm.

The Phoenician Resort, 6000 E Camelback Road, Scottsdale, ☎800-888-8234 (US) 480-941-8200 (Worldwide), [24]. Technically in Scottsdale, it's barely across the border and is located on the base of Camelback Mountain. Very full featured resort location right on the mountain for the Valley.High resort pricing.

Arizona Biltmore Resort, 2400 E. Missouri (Enter off 24th Street at Missouri), ☎(602) 955-660, [25]. checkin: 4pm; checkout: 12noon. Not only a place to see, it has historically been the place to stay in the area for those not afraid to pay top dollar. The resort features all the expected amenities and services. The resort is located between Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain, sitting along the smaller mountains between the two larger peaks.High end resort pricing.

Resorts originally concentrated in this area of Phoenix, and a number of major resorts either are in the area or border on it. The financial district located on Camelback also means that a number of mid-range hotels also exist in the area to serve the business crowd or others that may not wish to pay the resort prices but want to stay in the area.